Eats, Writes, and Leaves

So what does a travel writer do on her weekends off? I often take day trips to local parks and beaches. Last Saturday, I hung out at Ed Levin County Park—a spacious chunk of multi-use land in the hills above Milpitas. Yes, Milpitas. (Not from California? Milpitas isn’t exactly known as the garden spot of the Silicon Valley.)

Ed Levin’s got a surprising number of recreation opportunities and attractive little outdoor corners. Want to play golf? Tee off at the Spring Valley Golf Course for a shockingly reasonable fee. ($15-$55 depending on date and time) Or do you prefer an adventurous trail ride on horseback? Chapparal Ranch can hook you up with a mount and a map of the park. (Horse rentals and guided trail rides by appointment only.) In the summertime, anglers cast their lines into Sandy Wool Lake, and dog lovers can let their pets off-leash in the designated dog park.

Last weekend I was hanging out in the Spring Valley area of the park, attending a re-enactment event put on by the Society for Creative Anachronism. While wearing funny clothes, I hung out with my friends in the shade of native oak trees beside a still, pretty pond. The park provided a charming atmosphere; trails run all over the place, rife with hikers and horseback riders.

If you’re in the area, come check out Ed Levin. It’s welcome surprise of a park, easy to get to and fun to play in.